Discussion
Diagnosis With Brief Discussion
- Diagnosis
- Lymphoma (NHL, peripheral T-cell type, medium to large size)
- Radiologic Findings
- Chest radiograph shows an increased opacity in right mid lung zone, protruding into the thorax from the chest wall (Fig.a).
CT scan demonstrates the broad-based pleural plaque in anterior aspect of right thorax. The lesion is homogeneously enhanced. There is minimal pleural effusion in dependent portion of R thorax (Fig. b).
Note lymphadenopathies in the both axilla (Fig. c)
- Brief Review
- Involvement of the pleura by lymphoma may occur in both Hodgkin (HD) (11.4-30%) and non-Hodgkin disease (NHL) (3.7-33%). Pleural lymphoma represents either a site of recurrence or an extension of the disease from mediastinal and/or pulmonary lymphoma. Pleural lymphoma presenting as the initial manifestation of the disease is extremely rare and usually NHL, especially large cell type.
On CT and MR images pleural lymphoma appears either as a solitary nodule or as multiple, broad-based pleural plaques usually associated with pleural effusion. While pleural effusion in lymphoma can be either to obstruction of lymphatic drainage by mediastinal lymphadenopathy, pleural or pulmonary infiltration or to thoracic duct obstruction, impaired lymphatic drainage appears to be the primary mechanism in HD and direct pleural infiltration is the predominant cause in NHL. Nodules represent the confluence of lymphoid tissue.
CT and MR play a role in detecting pleural involvement of lymphoma. The detection of non-contiguous additional pleural involvement changes the classification, particularly in HD and may alter the therapeutic plan.
- References
- 1. Bonomo L, Feragalli B, Sacco R, Merlino B, Storto ML. Malignant pleural disease. Eur J Radiol. 2000 May;34(2):98-118.
2. North LB, Libshitz HI, Lorigan JG. Thoracic lymphoma. RCNA 1990; 28 (4): 745-762
- Keywords
- Chest wall, Lymphproliferative disorder, Lymphoma,